Cell Phone Plan Cost

How Much Does a Cell Phone Plan Cost?

The first step in selecting a cell phone plan is to decide on a carrier, ideally one that offers the best coverage in the area the phone will most often be used. Check the cell phone reception coverage maps for the carriers available. Customers interested in smartphones and accompanying data plans can read How Much Does a Smartphone Cost.

Typical costs:

Basic text and talk phone plans generally cost $40-$60 a month. Basic plans typically have a restricted number of talk minutes (often less than 500) and unlimited texting. Basic plans also often include free mobile-to-mobile calls to lines on the same carrier and free nights and weekends. For example, AT&T[1] charges $40 for 450 minutes per month and $20 for unlimited texting. T-Mobile offers an unlimited talk, text and web plan starting at $50 a month that is unique because most basic plans don't include web access.

Verizon[3] offers unlimited talk and text plans that also include limited data plans that start at $80-$90, depending on the type of phone used. Unlimited talk plans through AT&T[4] start at $70 per month.

Pre-paid cell phone plans typically cost $30-$100 per month, depending on usage needs. Basic talk and text plans are less expensive than plans that include data or unlimited talk time. For example, Sprint[5] has unlimited pre-paid phone plans from $50-$70 per month. Virgin Mobile[6] has plans for $35-$55 per month.

Family plans allow share allotments of talk, text and data and generally cost less than multiple individual plans. For example, Verizon[7] has "share everything" plans that cost $30 per basic phone, $40 per smartphone and $50-$100 for unlimited talk, text and tiered data allowances. Family plans from T-Mobile start at $80 for two lines, $90 for three lines, $100 for four lines and $110 for five lines. Additional data allowances cost more.

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I have had Verizon since 2000 and I got a notice that my phone would no longer be compatible with their systems so I would have to get a new one. They then told me that I was eligible for a free one but had to sign another two year contract. When I called to check on the status of my order, they had no record of any order and said there were no free phones......it took me 3 hours, numerous operators, 4 hang ups and people who spoke broken English to me (I am 85% deaf) to finally get help but only after I threatened to get another carrier. Also, a few years ago I was told that they had new plans out with more minutes that cost less than the 45.00 that I had been paying.....so I had to fight to get current rates....Needless to say, I will stay with them for 2 more years but will look elsewhere after for a company that treats their customers better.

My plan is with US Cellular, 2 phones with basic features, calling & voicemail. I had 21,000 points which could be used to purchase a new phone. The phone was about 7,800 points with 5,000 points activation fee. 5,000 points just to activate the new phone. I also had to sign a new contract with a $150 termination fee. I've been with US Cellular about 7 or 8 years. This phone was suppose to be free with my points. It appears that it was not free since I had to sign a new contract. Anyone who walks in off the street can probably get just as good a deal as I got after having been a customer for 7 or 8 years. They never mentioned that some of their phones were 0 points. I found this out on the internet later. A supervisor on US Cellular's help line informed me that about 2 years ago they polled some of their customers & they said they just as soon get a new contract when they upgrade their phones (with a $150 termination fee attached). REALLY! I told her they must have polled some of their employees. Who in their right mind would agree to such a scam as this. US Cellular doesn't value their long term customers and have become pros at scamming people.

Best ever! I get enough minutes and unlimited text and data for $25/month with no contract! I guess that plan is now $35, but I was grandfathered in so I still pay $25. Only drawback is pretty expensive phones, but between the monthly savings and not being locked into a contract it's easily worth it!!!

I got an LG Optimus V android smart phone on sale for $129 at Best Buy. I understand Target has them for $129 too, and they give you a $20 gift card.Phone is great. No contract. $25 a month for 300 talk minutes plus unlimited data. Great deal!

I used to have a $40 r400 min plan, but when i got my smartphone (an htc incredible) they said i needed a $45 month plan plus the $30 month for unlimited surfing, email, etc., so $75 a month plus taxes. It's really awesome and a great tool, but I must admit the Internet connection has been getting slower, especially for watching videos. I guess these smartphones are getting so popular, the traffic is getting a little worse even on Verizon.

I couldn't be happier with Straight Talk. I've cut my bill by over half and I even have a better plan as well. I think they have an unlimited plan for 15 bucks more, but I'm ok with 1000 min and texts. The best thing is that my service is run through Verizon towers so it is very reliable.

Do not be decieved into using this company. They held up my ported in phone number for 3 weeks-I was stuck with a unusable cell phone for the three weeks. I spent 23 calls of an average of 1 hour and 20 minuites on the phone trying to get the situation straightened out and finding my number I had had for over 8 years. I was trasfered from person to person-hung up on, lied to. I've never been treated this way by a company that wants your business.

With an international calling plan, and all the non-roaming features we could buy from Cingular (now AT&T), we had bills of $1600/$1500/$3500/$2500 this spring and summer when two of our phones were traveling in Mexico ($2.00/minute) Honduras ($2.50/minute), Barbados ($2.00/minute), Greece ($2.00/min), etc., etc. These are the voice rates. Text rates must be even higher.

I just re-signed with Verizon Wireless. My old plan had expired and my old phone had died, and by signing a new 2 year contract I got a good deal ($100 after rebate) on the new Motorola KRAZR phone, which I've been very happy with. I'm now on the American's Choice II plan for 39.99 a month with 450 anytime minutes and unlimited nights and weekends. So far, so good, and the KRAZR is way, way better than my old LG phone, which got terrible reception.

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